Mantri Or Money Tree? ED Files Laundering Case Against D K Shivakumar; To Summon Him Soon

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a case of money laundering against Karnataka Congress Minister D K Shivakumar and others on the charges of alleged tax evasion and hawala transactions, Deccan Herald reported.

The case has been upheld based on the evidence submitted by the Income Tax Department earlier this year before a special court in Bengaluru. ED is planning to summon the minister soon to record statements.

D K Shivakumar and his associate S K Sharma have been accused of transporting large amounts of unaccounted cash on a regular basis through unidentified hawala channels with three others who are accused.

"As per facts and analysis of evidence, it is clear that accused number 1 (Shivakumar) has set up an extensive network of persons and premises across Delhi and Bengaluru in order to transport and utilise unaccounted cash," the ED said.

Names of the other accused are Sachin Narayan, Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah and N Rajendra. S K Sharma is the proprietor of the famous Sharma Travels in Bengaluru, which runs passenger buses. Sachin is a business partner, and Anjaneya is an employee with the Karnataka Bhavan at New Delhi, according to the IT Department.

Nearly Rs 20 crore unaccounted cash was raided in New Delhi and Bengaluru last year, and it traced back to D K Shivakumar. Conditional bail has been granted, and the next hearing is set for September 20.